Scrabble friends Facebook, innit

Aficionados of Scrabble can as of right now deploy "Facebook", "blook", "wiki", "webzine" and "inbox" without fear of their opponent calling foul, following the incorporation of the terms into the list of Collins Official Scrabble Words.

The first update to the Scrabblers' bible since 2007 includes 3,000 newly approved words which are an "eclectic mix of new technological jargon, overseas English, recent colloquialisms, street slang, and a few fairly well-established phrases that had not made it onto the list until now", according to Robert Groves, editor of Collins English Dictionaries.

Linguistic purists are unlikely to applaud the appearance of "thang", "grrl", "blingy", "innit", "tik" (methamphetamine) and "gak" (commonly cocaine), but those struggling to place a "q" will be delighted with the chance to spell "fiqh" (Islamic jurisprudence) and "qin" (a Chinese stringed musical instrument).

Other foreign newbies are "alu/aloo", "keema" and "gobi", (spud, minced meat curry and cauliflower, respectively, as any fan of Indian cuisine knows).

Among the "fairly well-established phrases" to have finally gained official recognition are "airgun", "heatwave" and "pushbike".

Groves described the new guide, which sells at £16.99 for the hardback and £12.99 for the paperback, as "the essential reference for all Scrabble players, from tournament enthusiasts to families battling it out in their front rooms".

He added: "Over half of British homes own a Scrabble board, over four million games are sold worldwide each year, and nearly anyone who has played it has been involved in a dispute over which words can and can't be used. Now all those arguments can be settled, with the latest official wordlist from Collins – the authority on Scrabble." ®